| Called Together |
Called Together
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common
— Acts 2:44
There is nothing in this world quite like Christian fellowship. We know
that the early church worshipped and prayed together. They studied the
Scriptures together. They ate together. They gave their tithes and
offerings together. They shared the gospel together. They helped one
another and stuck together. In short, they loved one another.
The word that describes this phenomenon is the Greek word koinonia,
which is usually translated "fellowship." But it is also translated into the
words "communion," "distribution," "contribution," or "partnership." This
means there is something wonderful and supernatural that people in the
church experience. It's the bond that we have in which we love one
another.
God has a unique purpose and place for the church in the world today.
Paul tells us that we Christians are "the called of Jesus Christ" (see
Romans 1:6). God's people are called out of a world system that is
hostile to the teachings of Scripture. As Jesus said, "You are not of the
world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you"
(John 15:19).
This doesn't mean we are to isolate ourselves from the world, because
Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (see Matthew 5:16).
We are to be salt and light in this culture. But at the same time, we are
called out of it and warned that we are not to love it. And not only are we
as the church called out of the world, but we are also called together.
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common
— Acts 2:44
There is nothing in this world quite like Christian fellowship. We know
that the early church worshipped and prayed together. They studied the
Scriptures together. They ate together. They gave their tithes and
offerings together. They shared the gospel together. They helped one
another and stuck together. In short, they loved one another.
The word that describes this phenomenon is the Greek word koinonia,
which is usually translated "fellowship." But it is also translated into the
words "communion," "distribution," "contribution," or "partnership." This
means there is something wonderful and supernatural that people in the
church experience. It's the bond that we have in which we love one
another.
God has a unique purpose and place for the church in the world today.
Paul tells us that we Christians are "the called of Jesus Christ" (see
Romans 1:6). God's people are called out of a world system that is
hostile to the teachings of Scripture. As Jesus said, "You are not of the
world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you"
(John 15:19).
This doesn't mean we are to isolate ourselves from the world, because
Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (see Matthew 5:16).
We are to be salt and light in this culture. But at the same time, we are
called out of it and warned that we are not to love it. And not only are we
as the church called out of the world, but we are also called together.
| C4W Devotions are used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie P.O. Box 4000 Riverside , CA 92514 |